Caladium plant named ‘Rose Glow’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Caladium  plant named ‘Rose Glow’, characterized by its tall and upright plant habit; vigorous and dense growth habit; fancy-type leaves that are red purple in color in the center with green-colored borders and dark green-colored margins.

Botanical designation: Caladium×hortulanum.

Cultivar denomination: ‘ROSE GLOW’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Caladiumplant, botanically known as Caladium×hortulanum, commercially referredto as a fancy leaf-type Caladium and hereinafter referred to by the name‘Rose Glow’.

The objective of the Inventor's breeding program is to create newCaladium cultivars that have uniform plant habit, exceptionalperformance and attractive foliage coloration.

The new Caladium originated from a cross-pollination made by theInventor in June, 2001, in Lake Placid, Fla. of the Caladium×hortulanumcultivar Aaron, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with theCaladium×hortulanum cultivar Freida Hemple, not patented, as the male,or pollen, parent. The new Caladium was discovered and selected by theInventor as a single plant within the progeny of the statedcross-pollination in a controlled environment in Lake Placid, Fla. onJun. 15, 2002.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by tuber divisions in acontrolled environment in Lake Placid, Fla. since Apr. 5, 2003 has shownthat the unique features of this new Caladium are stable and reproducedtrue to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar Rose Glow has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature and light intensity,without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Rose Glow’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Rose Glow’ as a new and distinct cultivar ofCaladium:

-   -   1. Tall and upright plant habit.    -   2. Vigorous and dense growth habit.    -   3. Fancy-type leaves that are red purple in color in the center        with green-colored borders and dark green-colored margins.

Plants of the new Caladium differ from plants of the female parent, thecultivar Aaron, primarily in foliage coloration as plants of thecultivar Aaron have white-colored leaves with dark green-coloredmarginal areas.

Plants of the new Caladium differ from plants of the male parent, thecultivar Freida Hemple, primarily in foliage coloration as plants of thecultivar Freida Hemple have bright red-colored leaves with darkgreen-colored margins.

Plants of the new Caladium can also be compared to plants of thecultivar Rosebud, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons conducted inLake Placid, Fla., plants of the new Caladium differed from plants ofthe cultivar Rosebud in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium were taller and more vigorous than        plants of the cultivar Rosebud.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and the cultivar Rosebud differed        in leaf coloration as plants of the cultivar Rosebud had leaves        that are pink in color in the center with light green-colored        borders and dark green-colored margins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Caladium. These photographs show the colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color valuescited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describethe colors of the new Caladium.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of atypical plant of ‘Rose Glow’ grown in a container in a shadehouse.

The photograph at the top of the second sheet is a side perspective viewof typical plants of ‘Freida Hemple’ (left), ‘Rose Glow’ (center) and‘Aaron’ (right) grown in a shadehouse.

The photograph at the bottom of the third sheet is a side perspectiveview of typical plants of ‘Rosebud’ (left) and ‘Rose Glow’ (right) grownin a shadehouse.

The photograph at the top of the fourth sheet is a top perspective viewof typical plants of ‘Rose Glow’ grown in an outdoor nursery.

The photograph at the bottom of the fourth sheet is a close-up view oftypical leaf petioles, tubers and roots of ‘Rose Glow’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The aforementionedphotographs and following observations and measurements describe plantsgrown in 15-cm containers in Avon Park, Fla. during the spring in apolypropylene-covered shadehouse and plants grown in ground beds inZolfo Springs, Fla. during the late summer in an outdoor nursery. Allplants were grown under conditions and practices which approximate thosegenerally used in commercial Caladium production. During the productionof the plants, day temperatures ranged from about 20° C. to 30° C.,night temperatures ranged from about 10° C., to 20° C. and light levelswere about 8,000 foot-candles (shadehouse) or 10,000 to 12,000foot-candles (outdoor nursery). Plants grown in the shadehouse wereabout seven weeks from planting tubers when the photographs and thedetailed description were taken. Plants grown in the outdoor nurserywere about four months from planting tuber pieces when the photographsand the detailed description were taken.

-   Botanical classification: Caladium×hortulanum cultivar Rose Glow.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Caladium×hortulanum cultivar Aaron,            not patented.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Caladium×hortulanum cultivar Freida            Hemple, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By tubers and by tuber divisions.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About seven to ten days at            32° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two to three weeks at            24° C.        -   Tuber description.—Number of buds per tuber,            shadehouse-grown plants: About 14 actively growing            buds/shoots. Number of buds per tuber, outdoor nursery-grown            plants: About two to three actively growing buds/shoots.            Height: About 3.8 cm. Diameter: About 5.8 cm. Texture:            Thick, starchy; somewhat brittle. Color: Epidermis, between            N199D to 199A; interior, 4C to 4D. Root description: Dense,            thick and white fleshy roots.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant type.—Herbaceous perennial.        -   Plant/growth habit.—Tall and upright plant habit; inverted            triangle. Vigorous, dense growth habit; suitable for 15-cm            to 25-cm containers. Leaf petioles arising from tubers;            petioles mostly upright and outwardly arching with            development.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of leaf plane,            shadehouse-grown plants.—About 32 cm.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of inflorescences,            shadehouse-grown plants.—About 31 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread, shadehouse-grown plants.—About 48            cm.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of leaf plane, outdoor            nursery-grown plants.—About 61 cm to 70 cm.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of inflorescences,            outdoor nursery-grown plants.—Inflorescences not observed on            plants grown in the outdoor nursery.        -   Plant diameter or spread, outdoor nursery-grown            plants.—About 65 cm to 72 cm.        -   Cataphylls (only observed on shadehouse-grown            plants).—Length: About 6 cm to 9.5 cm. Width: About 1.8 cm.            Shape: Linear. Apex: Acute. Base: Sheathing the stem. Color,            inner and outer surfaces: N170D variably streaked with            N186A; with development, color becoming closer to 199A to            199B tinted with 183B.-   Foliage description:    -   -   Length, shadehouse-grown plants—About 17 cm to 29 cm.        -   Width, shadehouse-grown plants (fattened).—About 13.5 cm to            20 cm.        -   Length, outdoor nursery-grown plant.—About 24 cm to 35 cm.        -   Width, outdoor nursery-grown plants (flattened).—About 13 cm            to 16.5 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Sagittate to peltate.        -   Margin.—Entire; mostly flat with some broad undulations.        -   Texture, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous.        -   Texture, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous; glaucous.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Color, shadehouse-grown plants.—Developing leaves, upper            surface: Ground: 147A to 147B with 146B cast. Margins: 147A.            Center: 53B to 53C; basal notch, 53B. Venation: Midrib and            primary veins, between 155D and 56A speckled and streaked            with 53B to 53C. Developing leaves, lower surface: Ground:            147B tinted with 191A. Center: 59C. Venation: Midrib, 155C            tinged with 145D; primary veins, 155C tinged with 156D and            faintly tinged with 55D. Fully developed leaves, upper            surface: Ground: 147C tinted with 191A to 191B. Margins:            Darker and more green than 147A. Center: 53B to 53C tinged            with 184C to 184D. Venation: Midrib, between 196D and 155C            speckled and streaked with 53C to 53D and 184C; primary            veins, between 194D and 155C speckled and streaked with 147A            or between 184C and 53D. Fully developed leaves, lower            surface: Ground: Between 191A and 147B. Center: 59C flecked            with 145C to 145D. Venation: Midrib, 155A tinged with 145D;            primary veins, 155C tinged with 145D.        -   Color, outdoor nursery-grown plants.—Developing leaves,            upper surface: Ground: 147A to 147B speckled with 145D.            Margins: 147A to 147B. Center: 53A to 53B; basal notch, 59A.            Venation: Midrib, 155D speckled with 53B; primary veins,            150D speckled and streaked with 53B. Developing leaves,            lower surface: Ground: 147B with 138B cast. Center: 60A to            60B flecked with 145D; basal notch, 59A. Venation: Midrib,            155C tinged with 145D; primary veins, between 145C to 145D            and 155C. Fully developed leaves, upper surface: Ground:            147A flecked with 155A or 145D. Margins: 147A. Center: 53B            to 53C; basal notch, 59A. Venation: Midrib, 155D speckled            and streaked with 53A to 53B; primary veins, between 155D            and 150D speckled and streaked with 53B. Fully developed            leaves, lower surface: Ground: 147B with 138B cast. Center:            Between 60A and 59C flecked with 145D; basal notch, 59A.            Venation: Midrib, 155C tinged with 145C; primary veins, 145C            to 145D often tinged with 49C.        -   Petiole.—Aspect: Mostly erect, outwardly arching with            development. Length, shadehouse-grown plants: About 27 to            34 cm. Diameter, distal, shadehouse-grown plants: About            4 mm. Diameter, proximal, shadehouse-grown plants: About            8 mm. Length, outdoor nursery-grown plants: About 34 cm to            58 cm. Diameter, distal, outdoor nursery-grown plants: About            6 mm. Diameter, proximal, outdoor nursery-grown plants:            About 1.4 cm. Strength: Strong; flexible. Color, distal,            shadehouse-grown plants: Between 147C and 146C. Color,            proximal, shadehouse-grown plants: Between 146B and 147B to            N170D and variably streaked with N186A. Color, distal,            outdoor nursery-grown plants: 147B and variably streaked            with N186A. Color, proximal, outdoor nursery-grown plants:            Between N170D and 27D, variably streaked with 147B and            barred with N186A. Wing length, shadehouse-grown plants:            About 4.5 cm to 6 cm. Wing diameter, shadehouse-grown            plants: About 1 cm. Wing length, outdoor nursery-grown            plants: About 12.8 cm. Wing diameter, outdoor nursery-grown            plants: About 1 cm. Wing color, shadehouse-grown plants:            147B tinged with N170D and variably streaked with N186A.            Wing color, outdoor nursery-grown plants: Between N170D and            27D, variably streaked with 147B and barred with N186A.-   Inflorescence description: Inflorescences only observed on    shadehouse-grown plants.    -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Upright hooded spathes            surrounding a columnar spadix borne on a tall upright scape.            Spadix with sessile, simple female and male flowers            separated into two zones. Female flowers arranged on the            lower one-third of the spadix; male flowers arranged on the            upper two-thirds of the spadix. Sterile flowers develop            between female and male flower zones; near this area, the            spathe constricts surrounding the female flowers.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Natural flowering season/longevity.—Plants of the new            Caladium typically flower during the spring or early summer            in central Florida. Flowers develop about seven weeks after            growth commences. Inflorescences last about three days            before fading; inflorescences persistent.        -   Spathe.—Length: About 13 cm. Width, distal: About 4.5 cm.            Width, proximal: About 2.5 cm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute.            Base: Tapering. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower            surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Front surface: Upper            two-thirds: Between 145D and 155C. Color becoming closer to            between 199D and N199B with development. Lower one-third:            138B to 138C streaked with 138B. Color becoming closer to            147B streaked with 194B to 194C with development. Rear            surface: Upper two-thirds: 145D to 145B. Lower one-third:            147B to 147D streaked with 194B to 194C. Spadix: Length,            entire spadix: About 6.5 cm. Length, male flower zone: About            3.9 cm. Length, sterile flower zone: About 9 mm. Length,            female flower zone: About 1.4 cm. Diameter, male flower            zone: About 8 mm. Diameter, sterile flower zone: About 7 mm.            Diameter, female flower zone: About 8 mm. Shape:            Spindle-shaped to columnar. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Obtuse.            Aspect: Upright. Color, mature, male zone: 158A. Color,            mature, sterile zone: 158A Color, mature, female zone: 11C.            Male flowers: Quantity per spadix: About 122. Shape:            Obovate. Height: About 3 mm. Diameter: About 2.5 mm. Anther            color: Close to 157D. Amount of pollen: None observed.            Female flowers: Quantity per spadix: About 100. Shape:            Obovate. Height: About 2.5 mm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Stigma            color: 11C. Ovary color: 155C. Scape: Length: About 19 cm.            Diameter: About 6 mm. Strength: Sturdy; flexible. Aspect:            Erect or slightly curved. Texture: Smooth, glabrous;            glaucous. Color: 147B streaked with N186A.        -   Seed and fruit.—Seed and fruit development has not been            observed on plants of the new Caladium.-   Disease/pest resistance: Plants of the new Caladium have been    observed to be somewhat tolerant to Pythium root rot and Xanthomonas    leaf spot. Plants of the new Caladium have not been observed to be    resistant to pests or other pathogens common to Caladium.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Caladium have been observed    to be tolerant to temperatures ranging from about 7° C. to about 40°    C.

1. A new and distinct Caladium plant named ‘Rose Glow’ as illustratedand described.